The thermal behavior and the flammability characteristics of four different unsaturated polyester resins were studied by performing a series of thermal analysis experiments and laboratory scale fire tests. The results of TGA and DSC reveals that the vinylester type resins have superior thermal performances when compared to the isophthalic type resins. The vinylester type resins formed a network shaped char surface after the thermal decomposition up to 55$0^{circ}C$. Consequently, the vinylester type resings have shown lower value of burning rate than that of iso type resins. Due to the high level of flammability and toxic smoke emission, the appropriate flame retardant system should be applied to the unsaturated polyester resings.